Splash Signs All-Star Defender Thor Lee

Thor Lee, an all-star defender last year, signed Thursday to play this season with the Splash.

Lee (6-feet, 160 pounds), an eight-year veteran, was recently acquired in the dispersal draft from San Diego. He gives the Continental Indoor Soccer League team a second player of all-star caliber, joining Doug Neely.

Also, when the team submitted its final roster to the league, which begins play tonight, it was missing midfielder Raffaele Ruotolo.

He decided earlier in the week to remain in San Diego, where he lives, and concentrate on his camps and club teams.

“We could use him, the team wants him, but I can understand,” General Manager Steve Samaha said. “He was getting up at 5 a.m. every day to get here.”

Ruotolo was the Splash’s second-leading all-time point scorer.